In a major stride towards environmental sustainability, Coal & Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), including Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), have successfully reclaimed and afforested 55,312 hectares (Ha) of land across coal and lignite mining areas as of FY 2023-24. The initiatives are part of a broader effort to mitigate the environmental impact of mining activity.
These initiatives are projected to have a carbon sink potential of 2.77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, contributing significantly to India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target, which aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through expanded forest and tree cover by 2030.
Looking forward, the Ministry of Coal has set ambitious land reclamation and afforestation targets for the Coal and Lignite PSUs under the Vision Viksit Bharat initiative.
The PSUs are employing a range of innovative techniques, including seed ball plantation, Miyawaki plantation, high-tech cultivation, bamboo plantation, and drip irrigation, particularly for plantation on overburden dumps.
To ensure the sustainability of these projects, the PSUs are focusing on scientific reclamation practices, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic integration. Efforts include managing topsoil, planting native species, creating wildlife habitats, and utilizing remote sensing for ongoing monitoring.
State Forest Departments and State Forest Development Corporations largely handle the afforestation activities. Reclaimed lands are being repurposed for eco-parks, agroforestry, water sports, pisciculture, and renewable energy projects. Additionally, areas afforested on non-forest land are offered as compensatory afforestation (CA) land for forest diversion linked to coal mining operations.
These efforts were outlined by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, in a written response in the Lok Sabha today.
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